Mobile phone having a non-telephone function and timing reset unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a mobile phone having a non-telephone function (e.g. a radio function) that is different from a telephone function, and comprising: a timer operable to count time; a camera unit operable to execute the camera function; a camera function stop unit operable, during execution of the camera function to automatically stop the execution of the camera function when the timer indicates an elapse of a predetermined time period; a telephone unit operable to execute the telephone function; and a reset unit operable, if the timer is being operated in response to the execution of the camera function, to reset the timer to an initial state when a predetermined operation relating to the telephone function is executed, wherein when the timer is reset to the initial state, the timer starts to measure the predetermined time period, and the camera function stop unit stops the execution of the camera function at the elapse of the predetermined time period from the execution of the predetermined operation relating to the telephone function. The present invention successfully reduces occurrences of unwanted auto power off during the time when the non-telephone function is in execution—for example, the auto power off of the radio function during the time when the user is listening to the radio.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/552,577 filed on Jul. 18, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/104,908 filed May 10, 2011, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,249,576, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/573,805, filed on Mar. 28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,966,006,which issued from a U.S. National Phase Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2004/014884 filed Oct. 1, 2004, which claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application 2003-346392 filed Oct. 3, 2003.The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile phone having functions otherthan a telephone function—such as a radio function, and in particular toa control technique for automatically stopping the non-telephonefunctions.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, mobile phones are spreading dramatically, and modelshaving functions other than the telephone function (referred tohereinafter as “non-telephone functions”) pop up one after another.

The non-telephone functions here include, for example: a digital camerafunction; an Internet connecting function; a music play function; aradio function; and a TV function.

On the other hand, many mobile phones have limitations in the capacityof the battery. Therefore, as for functions not required to be performedon a steady basis—such as a backlight for LCD display and lighting forilluminated ten keys, a timer is activated immediately after executionof a function resulting from change in the LCD display by the user oroperation on the ten keys, for example. Subsequently, the function isautomatically terminated after the elapse of a predetermined time periodranging from several seconds to several tens of seconds.

Additionally, in the case of a mobile phone with a radio, the battery isconsumed in vain and depleted quickly if the user falls asleep whilelistening to the radio or forgets to turn off the radio, for example. Inorder to avoid such occurrences, it is desirable to performauto-power-off control that automatically turns the power of the radiooff after the elapse of a predetermined time period since execution ofthe radio function.

A mobile phone in which a function as a portable music play device isincorporated is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002-101164.

However, the user would not want the power of the radio function beingautomatically turned off after the elapse of a predetermined time periodsince execution of the radio function while still listening to theradio. Besides, the user has to turn on the power every time after theelapse of a predetermined time period, which is too much of a bother.

Given this factor, the present invention aims at offering a mobile phoneand an automatic stopping method that reduce occurrences of the unwantedauto power off during the time when a non-telephone function is inexecution—for example, the auto power off of the radio function duringthe time when the user is actually listening to the radio.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the stated object, the mobile phone of the presentinvention is a mobile phone having a non-telephone function, which is adifferent function from a telephone function, in addition to thetelephone function, comprising: a non-telephone unit operable to executethe non-telephone function; an auto-power-off unit operable to cause atimer to operate during execution of the non-telephone function, andautomatically stop the execution of the non-telephone function when thetimer indicates an elapse of a predetermined time period; a telephoneunit operable to execute the telephone function; and a reset unitoperable to reset the timer to an initial state each time apredetermined operation relating to the telephone function is executed.

In order to achieve the stated object, the automatic stopping method ofthe present invention is an automatic stopping method used in a mobilephone having a non-telephone function, which is a different functionfrom a telephone function, in addition to the telephone function andused for automatically stopping execution of the non-telephone function,the automatic stopping method comprising the steps of: (a) causing atimer to operate during the execution of the non-telephone function, andjudging, according to the timer, whether a predetermined time period haselapsed; (b) resetting the timer to an initial state each time a certainoperation relating to the telephone function is executed; and (c)automatically stopping the execution of the non-telephone function whenthe step (a) determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed.

Herewith, the timer used for the auto power off of the non-telephonefunction, such as a radio function, is reset to the initial state everytime a certain operation relating to the telephone function is executed.As a result, it is possible to reduce occurrences of the unwanted autopower off during the time when the non-telephone function is inexecution—for example, when the radio function is being executed for theuser listening to the radio at the time.

Here, the reset unit may reset the timer to the initial state at end ofa telephone call.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state at the end of atelephone call, which enables restart of the measurement of thepredetermined time period at the end of the telephone call.

Here, the telephone unit may stop executing the telephone function whenreceiving a disconnect signal via a telephone line at the end of thetelephone call. In this case, the reset unit resets the timer to theinitial state when the execution of the telephone function is stopped byreceiving the disconnect signal.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state when thetransmitted disconnect signal informing the disconnection of thetelephone call is received, which enables restart of the measurement ofthe predetermined time period at the end of the telephone call withoutuser operation.

Here, the reset unit may reset the timer to the initial state when themobile phone is flipped/slid open or closed.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state when the mobilephone is flipped/slid open or closed, which enables restart of themeasurement of the predetermined time period.

Here, the reset unit may further reset the timer to the initial stateeach time execution of a certain operation relating to the non-telephoneunit is started.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state every time acertain operation relating to the non-telephone unit—for example,adjustment of sound volume or change of a channel on the radio—isexecuted, which enables restart of the measurement of the predeterminedtime period when the certain operation relating to the non-telephoneunit is started.

Here, the mobile phone may further comprise: an application unitoperable to execute an application different from the non-telephonefunction and the telephone function. In this case, the reset unitfurther resets the timer to the initial state each time execution of acertain operation relating to the application unit is started.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state every time acertain operation relating to another application—for example,resumption or suspension of the another application—is executed, whichenables restart of the measurement of the predetermined time period whenthe certain operation relating to the application is started.

Here, the reset unit may reset the timer to the initial state each timea particular key is pressed by a user.

Herewith, the timer can be reset to the initial state every time theuser presses a particular key—for example, a side key being held downfor a while, which enables restart of the measurement of thepredetermined time period when the particular key is pressed down.

Here, the mobile phone may further comprise: an alarm unit operable toexecute an alarm function in a case when an alarm setting has been madeby a user. In this case, the reset unit refrains from resetting thetimer to the initial state when the alarm setting has been made.

Herewith, because the timer is not reset to the initial state when thealarm is set, occurrences of the alarm being inactivated due to batterydepletion can be avoided.

The mobile phone may further comprise: an alarm unit operable to executean alarm function in a case when an alarm setting has been made by auser. In this case, the auto-power-off unit automatically stops theexecution of the non-telephone function in a case when (i) anauto-power-off setting has been made by the user, or (ii) the alarmsetting has been made by the user although the auto-power-off settinghas not been made.

Herewith, since the auto power off is executed without fail when thealarm is set, occurrences of the alarm being inactivated due to batterydepletion can be avoided.

Here, the non-telephone function may be any of a digital camerafunction, an Internet connecting function, a music play function, aradio function, and a TV function.

Herewith, the timer used for the auto power off of any of the followingfunctions can be reset to the initial state every time a certainoperation relating to the telephone function is executed: a digitalcamera function; an Internet connecting function; a music play function;a radio function; and a TV function. Accordingly, it is possible toreduce occurrences of the unwanted auto power off during the time whenthe digital camera function is in use; when the Internet is connected;when music is being played back; when the user is listening to theradio; or when the user is watching TV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simple overview of a mobile phone 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for auto-power-off control of the mobile phone1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

<Structure>

FIG. 1 shows a simple overview of a mobile phone 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

The mobile phone 1 of the first embodiment comprises: a settingreception unit 11; a setting storage unit 12; a telephone function unit13; a radio function unit 14; an alarm function unit 15; anauto-power-off control unit 16; and a reset unit 17, as shown in FIG. 1.

The setting reception unit 11 receives individual settings for the alarmand the auto power off from the user. The setting reception unit 11receives, from the user, settings for: the alarm time; the alarm volume;the alarm tone; whether the alarm is enabled or disabled (i.e. on oroff); the auto-power-off time; and whether the auto power off is enabledor disabled, for example.

The setting storage unit 12 stores settings received by the settingreception unit 11.

The telephone function unit 13 performs the telephone function accordingto the user's instruction.

The radio function unit 14 performs an FM radio function, and receivesFM radio and reproduces the audio according to the user's instructionduring the time when the telephone function by the telephone functionunit 13 is not being executed.

The alarm function unit 15 sounds the alarm at the alarm time stored inthe setting storage unit 12 in the case when a setting for enabling thealarm is stored in the setting storage unit 12.

In the case when a setting for enabling the auto power off is stored inthe setting storage unit 12, the auto-power-off control unit 16 causes abuilt-in timer to operate during execution of the FM radio function, andautomatically stops the execution of the FM radio function when thebuilt-in timer indicates that a predetermined time period has elapsed.

Additionally, in order to avoid occurrences of the alarm beinginactivated due to battery depletion, even when a setting for disablingthe auto power off is stored in the setting storage unit 12, if thesetting for enabling the alarm is stored, the auto-power-off controlunit 16 causes the built-in timer to operate during the execution of theFM radio function, and automatically stops the execution when thebuilt-in timer indicates that a predetermined time period has elapsed.

Here, assume that the auto-power-off control unit 16 has anauto-power-off time of two hours in the default configuration, and thatthe built-in timer times a duration of two hours.

The reset unit 17 resets the built-in timer to the initial state everytime the following happens: a certain operation relating to thetelephone function is executed; a certain operation relating to the FMradio function is executed; a certain operation relating to anotherapplication is executed; and a particular key is pressed.

Here, the followings are examples of the “certain operation relating tothe telephone function”: end of a telephone call due to receiving adisconnect signal via a telephone line or due to the hung up buttonbeing pressed; a flip open or a flip close in the case of a flip phone;a slide open or a slide close in the case of a slide phone; and asetting change related to telephone calls.

The followings are examples of the “certain operation relating to the FMradio function”: change of a channel and adjustment of the sound volume.

The followings are examples of the “certain operation relating toanother application”: resumption of the application; suspension of theapplication; and a setting change in the application. For instance, inthe case of an alarm application, the alarm time, the alarm volume, thealarm tone, and whether the alarm is enabled or disabled are examples ofsuch an operation.

The press down of a particular key is, for example, holding a side keydown for a while.

Note that, when the setting for enabling the alarm is stored in thesetting storage unit 12, the reset unit 17 refrains from resetting thetimer to the initial state in order to avoid occurrences of the alarmbeing inactivated due to battery depletion.

<Operations>

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for the auto-power-off control of the mobilephone 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The following explains the procedure of the auto-power-off control withthe aid of FIG. 2.

(1) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether the setting forenabling the auto power off is stored in the setting storage unit 12(Step S1).

(2) In the case when the setting for enabling the auto power off is notstored, the auto-power-off control unit 16 then judges whether thesetting for enabling the alarm is stored in the setting storage unit 12(Step S2).

(3) In the case when the setting for enabling the auto power off isstored, or when the setting for enabling the alarm is stored, theauto-power-off control unit 16 waits until the FM radio function isexecuted by the radio function unit 14 (Step S3).

(4) When the FM radio function is executed, the auto-power-off controlunit 16 overwrites a counter value of the built-in timer with a valuecorresponding to two hours to thereby reset the built-in timer to theinitial state, and starts the built-in timer (Step S4).

(5) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether the telephonefunction has been executed by the telephone function unit 13 and theexecution of the FM radio function has been suspended (Step S5).

(6) In the case when the telephone function has been executed and theexecution of the FM radio function has been suspended, theauto-power-off control unit 16 brings the built-in timer to a halttemporarily (Step S6).

(7) The auto-power-off control unit 16 waits until the execution of thetelephone function ends and the execution of the FM radio functionresumes (Step S7).

(8) When the execution of the telephone function ends and the executionof the FM radio function resumes, the auto-power-off control unit 16resumes the built-in timer (Step S8).

(9) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether a certainoperation relating to the telephone function, except for a direction toexecute the telephone function, has been executed (Step S9).

(10) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether a certainoperation relating to the FM radio function has been executed (StepS10).

(11) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether a certainoperation relating to an application other than the telephone and FMradio functions has been executed (step S11).

(12) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether a particular keyhas been pressed (Step S12).

(13) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether the setting forenabling the alarm is stored in the setting storage unit 12 in the casewhen (i) a certain operation relating to the telephone function has beenexecuted; (ii) a certain operation relating to the FM radio function hasbeen executed; (iii) a certain operation relating to another applicationhas been executed; and (iv) a particular key has been pressed (StepS13).

(14) In the case when the setting for enabling the alarm is not stored,the reset unit 17 resets the built-in timer of the auto-power-controlunit 16 to the initial state (Step S14).

(15) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether the setting forenabling the auto power off is stored in the setting storage unit 12(Step S15).

(16) In the case when the setting for enabling the auto power off is notstored, the auto-power-off control unit 16 then judges whether thesetting for enabling the alarm is stored in the setting storage unit 12(Step S16).

(17) In the case when the setting for enabling the auto power off isstored, or when the setting for enabling the alarm is stored, theauto-power-off control unit 16 then judges whether the built-in timerindicates the elapse of the predetermined time period (Step S17).

(18) The auto-power-off control unit 16 judges whether the end of the FMradio function is directed (Step S18).

(19) The auto-power-off control unit 16 stops the execution of the FMradio function when the predetermined time period has elapsed, or whenthe end of the FM radio function has been directed (Step S19).

<Conclusion>

As has been described above, according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the timer used for the auto power off of the FM radiofunction is reset to the initial state every time the following happens:a certain operation relating to the telephone function is executed; acertain operation relating to the FM radio function is executed; acertain operation relating to other applications is executed; and aparticular key is pressed. As a result, occurrences of the unwanted autopower off during the time when the user is listening to the radio can bereduced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a mobile phone with an FM radio.According to the present invention, occurrences of the unwanted autopower off during the time when the user is listening to the radio can bereduced, which enables the user to enjoy FM radio in a more comfortablemanner as compared to conventional techniques.

Besides the mobile phone with an FM radio, the present invention is alsoapplicable to a mobile phone having other various non-telephonefunctions.

Here, the various non-telephone functions include, for example: adigital camera function; an Internet connecting function; a music playfunction; a radio function; and a TV function.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile phone having a non-telephonefunction, which is a different function from a telephone function, inaddition to the telephone function, comprising: a timer operable tocount time; a non-telephone function unit operable to execute thenon-telephone function, the non-telephone function comprising a functionof illuminating a backlight provided to the mobile phone; anon-telephone function stop unit operable to cause the timer to operateduring execution of the non-telephone function, and automatically stopthe execution of the non-telephone function when the timer indicates anelapse of a predetermined time period; a telephone unit operable toexecute the telephone function; and a reset unit operable, if the timeris being operated in response to the execution of the non-telephonefunction, to reset the timer to an initial state when an operation forending a telephone call is received, wherein when the timer is reset tothe initial state, the timer starts to measure the predetermined timeperiod, and the non-telephone function stop unit stops the execution ofthe non-telephone function at the elapse of the predetermined timeperiod from when the operation for ending the telephone call isreceived.
 2. An automatic stopping method used in a mobile phone havinga non-telephone function in addition to a telephone function and usedfor automatically stopping execution of the non-telephone function, theautomatic stopping method comprising the steps of: (a) causing a timer,operable to count time, to operate during the execution of thenon-telephone function, and judging, according to the timer, whether apredetermined time period has elapsed, wherein the non-telephonefunction comprises a function of illuminating a backlight provided tothe mobile phone; (b) if the timer is being operated in response to theexecution of the non-telephone function, resetting the timer to aninitial state when an operation for ending a telephone call is received;and (c) automatically stopping the execution of the non-telephonefunction when the step (a) determines that the predetermined time periodhas elapsed, wherein when the timer is reset to the initial state, thetimer starts to measure the predetermined time period, and in the step(c), the execution of the non-telephone function is stopped at theelapse of the predetermined time period from when the operation forending the telephone call is received.